The meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China over Beijing's assertive pursuit of territorial claims in East Asia.

President Obama met the Dalai Lama at the White House when the latter visited Washington in 2014 and angered China then when he vowed "strong support" for Tibetans' human rights.

Mr Lu said China urged the United States to abide by its promises to recognise that Tibet is part of China and cease any support for Tibet independence.

The Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet into exile in India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, says he wants genuine autonomy for Tibet, not independence.

The Dalai Lama told Reuters on Monday that Mr Obama was "a long-time friend" whom he admired for his work to normalise relations with Cuba, and on Iran, and for his recent visits to former US foe Vietnam and the site of the Hiroshima atomic bombing in Japan.